Meant To Be
By Olunfulola Adeola
Episode 34
A month has pas-sed since the unveiling saga and Ayo and Kore have moved on but it was not the same anymore.
Ayo was now working in a thriving company as a Communication Expert. She had also enrolled Itunu in a new school close by to her work place and they were managing just fine.
Two months into her new work, on one Friday evening, Ayo went to a Restaurant/Bar to eat dinner before going home since Lara had ‘kidnapped’ Itunu for a ‘Godmother’s Day out’.
She had not sat down for up to ten minutes when she heard a masculine voice by her side,
“I knew it.”
Ayo turned only to see the least person she expected, “Wale Badmus!”
“Live in spirit, soul and b©dy.”
“Who would have thought?”
“Same here. I was just thinking, this has to be Ayo.”
“How have you been? I heard you traveled out.”
“Yes, I did . I just got back few days ago. I lost contact with my friends before leaving hence the no-contact. How are you? You are looking so S-xy.”
“I have been fine o. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Thank you, my lady
. How come you are alone here? Where is Mr. Lover boy?”
“Wo, let’s forget about that.”
“Seriously? Now, I am interested.”
“I left him.”
“You left him?”
“Yeah.”
“Why? What happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it?”
“I am so sorry.”
“It’s fine. What are you doing here?”
“Oh! I just c@m£ to get a take-away dinner. I live not so far from here.”
“Wow! That’s cool. My house is also not so far.”
“What about your boy?”
“He is fine o. He went out with his godmother.”
“Come, come, before I forget, let’s exchange contact.”
They did and then he told someone to take pictures of them.
“I can’t believe I am meeting you here. This is the highlight of my day.”
“I am glad you feel that way.”
“So, when should I come? I have missed that your spaghetti.”
“You can come anytime but I work Mondays to Fridays.”
“How about tomorrow?”
Ayo laughed, “Tomorrow ke?”
“Yes na. I have nothing as interesting as spending time with you on my schedule.”
“You are so not serious. You think I am one of those girls you can lie to with your sweet words abi? Enu dun ju’yo lo.”
“I know you are Aunty na and I dey serious o.”
“Ehn! Who dey teach this one pidgin?”
“You don forget say pidgin na my language?”
“Oooya. Wale! Ko travel lati eni di ola, you no fit change.”
“Na you sabi!”
“Oya, buy your food na. Me, I will be leaving soon o.”
“Okay. My bros, can I have…?”
Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ
The next day, around 11:00AM, Tatiana’s Like You filled Ayo’s ap@rtment as she cleaned her kitchen counter. She dropped the napkin and went to pick her phone, sliding across the screen she answered the call.
“Hello Aunty.”
“Good morning Uncle.”
“Hunger dey wire me for here o.”
“Wire the hunger with food na.”
“Na why I dey call you na. Shey make I come now make you help me wire am?”
“Me I kon be we-tin o?”
“Hunger wirer.”
Ayo laughed, “You are sick I swear.”
“You sef nee-d drug o.”
“Me abi? You don chop finish, na small remain.”
“Aunty oya sorry, plea-se na. Shey make I dey come?”
“Dey come. I don’t have anything cooked yet so I’ll just chill for you.”
“That’s why I like you. You are too sure. I don almost reach your side.”
“Hahan, so you were alre-ady on your way sef.”
“Na hunger cause am plus anticipation. Can’t wait to see your beautiful face again.”
“Take that back, okay?”
“Mama, don’t go mummy on me. I ain’t taking $h!t back. Freedom of expression.”
“Then my ears are closed.”
“Dey whyne yourself there. Hey, those silly police officers are ahead, I have to go. Will call you back when I get to your street.”
“Be safe.”
Some twenty-five minutes later, Ayo had freshened up and was looking as casual as ever when she went to open the door for Wale. They hvgged briefly and then he asked,
“Where’s the kitchen plea-se?”
Ayo laughed, “It’s by the left. Let’s go.” She led the way to the kitchen where she had set all she nee-ded. As she made her way to the la-id out ingredients, he made his way to the fridge and took out some crunchies pack.
“That’s for Itunu.”
“Mama, his name is not written on it.”
Ayo laughed as she set a pot of water to boil on the cooker, “You this boy ehn, o ti wa ya’tara e.”
“No be my fault.”
“Oya gist me na. How was US?”
“It was interesting actually even though it was just work, work and work. Dad is expanding into real estate.”
“That’s good. That’s like the t©pic everywhere now.”
“Yeah.”
“Though I can’t reconcile you and real estate together.”
“Yeah. You know me na. One way no enter market. While I was there, I worked in one of the radio stations. Upon getting back to Naija, Beat FM and City FM offered me a job.”
“Wow!”
“Yeah. I have till Monday to even decide. I am kinda confused. I want something that can also accommod@t£ my sidekicks.”
“That’s important.”
“Yeah. So, what about you? Are you happy not getting people to hear your voice?”
“Are you not hearing my voice?”
“You know what I mean.”
“It’s what I chose. I don’t regret it. At least not yet. Plus, I have a decent job.”
“Okay ma. So, any new Uncle for us to know?”
“Uncle ko Aunty ni.”
“Be serious na.”
“Wale, there is no one. I am just here with my kid taking each day as it comes.”
“Cool.”
“So, what about you?”
“Me and girls? If you hear it outside, won’t you say it can’t be.”
Ayo laughed, “Anything can happen na.”
“Yes, that’s if you accept my long-time request.”
“In your dreams.”
“Like it or not, I won’t st©p asking.”
“Like it or not, I won’t accept.”
“You just like to dey show yourself. I never get your time.” He said as he brou-ght his phone out from his pocket while she cooked.
Twenty minutes later, food was re-ady and they decided to accompany it with a movie, they chose John Wick 3 and after the meal and Wale insisting, he did the dishes, they watched two more movies. As they concluded the third one, the doorbell rang, Ayo got up to go see who was at the door.
Her boy was back with his godmother. He prostrates and greeted her,
“Good evening Mum”
She side-hvgged him and asked, “How are you my love?”
Lara cut in, “Fine. Na only your son, you see greet abi?”
Ayo laughed and said, “E Pele ma. E kabo o. we-tin you bring come for us?”
Lara said still not aware of Wale, “Abeg, me I wan chop, we-tin you cook?”
“This one that all of you turn me to cook like this.”
Wale stepped forward towards the ladies before saying, “Good evening to you guys.”
Lara answered, “Good evening.”
Wale said extending his hand, “My name is Wale Badmus.”
Lara smiled shaking his hand, “Call me Lara.”
Ayo said, “Now that you people have done the introduction yourself, let me go and relax. Madam, if you wan chop, food dey kitchen.”
“Yes, your highness. T-boy, let’s… Where is this boy?” Lara asked.
Ayo replied, “Person wey don go him room tey tey.”
Lara said, “Okay. Kitchen, here I come. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Badmus.”
Wale reciprocated, “Same here Miss.”
Then he turned to Ayo, “A.Y, thank you for today. I guess I should be on my way now.”
Lara st©pped midway to the kitchen, “Hope we are not the cause for your leaving?”
Wale said, “Not at all. I have spent quite a while here.”
Ayo said quic-kly before Lara says something else, “All right. Let me see you off to your car.”
“Okay.” Wale said and he picked up his car key and left with Ayo on his heels.
Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ
“Oya, madam, come and explain yourself.”
“What is there to explain?”
“For starters, who is that fine looking chocolate man?”
Ayo laughed, “That’s Wale nao. Wale Badmus. His dad is GoCars.
. We went to UNILAG together. He c@m£ for his second Bachelor’s degree.”
“GoCars? GoCars?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s like the biggest Car Hub in Nigeria.”
“So?”
“You this babe, you just dey move from one rich man to another rich man.”
Ayo laughed, “I didn’t move. I am not d@t!nghim. We are just friends.”
“Na how e dey start. I will be here.”
“For what?”
“To remind you, you are just friends.”
“I don’t think I am going to d@t£ anyone anytime soon.”
“Never say never babe.”
“Okay. Enough about boys. How was the day out?”
“It was interesting. Let your son come and gist us both. If you see the way he was eyeing one girl at the park.”
“Ehn! At which age? Itunu! ItunuOluwa!” Ayo shouted standing up while Lara just kept laughing.
Meant To Be
BY Olunfulola Adeola
Episode 35
Wale talked to Ayo on and off on Whatsapp before calling her on Wednesday. She was taking her lunch break when his call c@m£ throu-gh.
“Hello Bae.”
“Hello yourself.”
“What are you doing on Saturday afternoon?”
“I will be at home with Itunu.”
“Let’s all go to the movies na.”
“Because?”
“I want to watch Mokaliki. You know the one with Simi the singer in it and I nee-d company.”
“I don’t know, Wale.”
“What don’t you know?
“I don’t know if I want to go out . I have been keeping a low profile.”
“Aunty, you will die like this o and nob©dy will look for you. You know I will tell you the truth. I’m not gonna have you put your life and that of that boy on hold because you don’t wanna move on! If you don’t wanna move on then go back. It’s that simple.”
“Are you finished?”
“Not quite but that’s enough for now.”
“I am not going anywhere. Bye!” Ayo said and ended the call.
Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ
“Can you imagine?” Ayo asked Lara over video call later that evening.
“Ayo, s’ofe gbo?”
“Yeah?”
“He is damn right.”
“You too?”
“Yes! You’ve not moved on; you’ve just moved and you know there is always a reason for everything. Maybe the reason this Wale guy c@m£ into your life this time is to make you happy and take care of you.”
“Hmmm.”
“I am serious
. So, it’s better you take life one day at a time and enjoy this as it unfolds. Moreover, you nee-d someone to eat your work and break your mouth.”
“Get lost jare.”
“I don’t blame you, ooto oro ma n da bi iro ni. Wo, I am volunteering this Saturday to keep my godson so you better go and enjoy that man’s company.”
“I’ve heard you.”
“Gotta go girl. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“All right.”
Just as Lara ended the call, Wale’s call c@m£ in. She contemplated on not picking his call but the second time it c@m£ in again, she grudgingly picked it,
“Ki la ri gbo?”
“I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“It’s really not my business.”
“Okay.”
“Are we good?”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“Okay, so be re-ady by 1:00pm on Saturday with Itunu.”
“Itunu will be with Lara.”
“Oh. All right then, I will give out his ticket.”
“Okay. Want to sleep.”
“All right. Good night.”
“‘Night.” She said and ended the call.
Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ
Saturday arrived in a twi-nkle of an eye. Lara c@m£ earlier that day to pick up Itunu and she did not leave until she had picked Ayo’s outfit for the cinema and also helped her with her hair.
01:00PM c@m£ to see Wale ringing Ayo’s doorbell. She picked up her purse and went to get the door. As soon as she opened the door, Wale pu-ll-ed her into a shocking hvg saying,
“I am so sorry. My big mouth is to be blamed.”
“It’s fine, Wale. Abeg, lemme, don’t let me suffocate.”
“Sorry.” He said re-leasing her and taking a step backwards. She got out also and locked the door. Then he led her to his car.
“How has the morning been for you?” She asked as she secured her seat belt while he started driving.
“Good. Good. Mum c@m£ over with her panla stew and was ordering me about in my own ap@rtment.”
She laughed, “I can imagine.”
“She nee-ds to un-derstand, it’s my house, she cannot come and be forming boss in my house to me. I will do things the way I prefer them to be done.”
Ayo giggled, “She is your mother so enjoy it and deal with it.”
“I am going to report her to her husband sef.”
“So, where will that get you?”
“It will sha make her stay in her house.”
“Issokay.”
“What about you? How did your morning go?”
“It went fine. While your mother was fussing over you, Lara was frustrating my life here.”
“What did she do?”
“She actually picked my outfit and did my hair and face.”
“Nice. She just wanted you to look S-xy for your man which you do by the way.”
“Ehn! For which man?”
“For me na.” He said smiling sheepishly. She leaned towards him and t©uçhed his n£¢k then almost immediately settled back into her seat.
“Why that?”
“I wanted to be sure if you were normal but unfortunately you are not normal. O re e gan.”
“Sit down there.”
She raised her hands up and prayed, “Father lord, deliver me from people that are d@t!ngme that I am not d@t!ngin Jesus name. Amen.”
“Shioor. Be deceiving yourself. Temi lo ma se last.”
“Abeg, shut up jare, let me hear this By You by Simi and Adekunle in peace.”
“I don’t know what is so special about that. Have you listened to Moral Instruction by Falz? You nee-d music like that in your life.”
“Keep quiet jo.
. Adekunle’s voice is to die for, I swear.”
“What is special about that one’s voice? He does not know more than yoru-ba all his life but I will give it to him sha, he is a sweet boy.”
“Awon beefer.”
“Aunty, thank you. We’ve gotten to our destination.”
“That was quite fast o. No much hold-up today sha.”
“Today is Saturday na, all the Owambes must be happening pres£ntly.”
“True that.” She said and he pu-ll-ed the car into a parking space. Then they un-buckled their seat belts and got out of the car.
They headed towards the Mall and went to the cinema. The movie was not starting until twenty minutes after so they got snacks and drinks and scouted for good seats, then two minutes later the movie started.
An hour later…
“I can’t believe Simi acted so well.”
“She is a treasure. If not that she is married ni, I will just look for means of getting to her so I can d@t£ her.”
“What is this one saying? Do you think it is easy to just slide into a celebrity’s life like that?”
“You forget I am in the shadows of the celebrity gang myself.”
“That’s true o. Sorry sir.”
“That’s all right. I forgive your innocence.” He said patting her on her head.
“Are you silly?” She asked swatting his hand.
“Aunty, let’s go over there and take nice pictures jare.”
“Picture freak.”
“Thanks. They give me reasons to be thankful when I scroll throu-gh my phone. Oya jo.”
Ayo was taking her fourth picture when her eyes met the least person she thought she would see there. It held it for a long minute then the person gave her a window and she escaped
Tbc